The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found no evidence of exceptional disability that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.,For his headache disorder, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for very frequent prostrating attacks. However, the Board determined that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his headaches were not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's IBS was rated at the maximum schedular rating due to the severity of his symptoms, which included diarrhea two to three times per week, cramps, bloating, and requiring continuous medication. The Board found no evidence that warranted an increase in the disability rating.,For his headache disorder, the Board noted that while he reported frequent missed work due to headaches, there was no documentation indicating very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Headache Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 2, 2020
- Citation
- A20017840
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2020, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied a higher initial rating and TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no competent or credible evidence of a current diagnosis during the appellate period.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, except for a granted 30 percent rating for headache disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical pain but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted ratings of 10 percent or 20 percent for several conditions from specific dates.
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